V. Ivanov, S. Ivanova, M.W. Roomi, A. Niedzwiecki, M. Rath 
Matthias Rath BV, Santa Clara, CA

Presented at:

75th European Atherosclerotic Society Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, April 23-26, 2005.

Published in:

Atherosclerosis, vol 6, issue 1, 2005, p.18.

Comment

Under conditions of chronic essential nutrient deficiency, the extracellular matrix (ECM) produced can support the development of atherosclerotic lesions. We investigated the effect of nutrients essential for collagen synthesis on ECM biological properties: SMC proliferation, invasiveness and migration, and collagen type ratios. The ECM deposited in the presence of a mixture of nutrients (ascorbate, lysine, proline, and green tea extract) had improved strength and integrity (increased collagen IV: I and chondroitin sulfate: heparan) and significantly inhibited SMC migration up to 70%. These results are important as they indicate that proper nutrient supplementation can prevent the formation of atherosclerotic lesions.